Alternate name: Green Jacket

Family: Libellulidae, Common Skimmers view all from this family

Description 1 1/2-1 3/4" (38-44 mm), wingspan 2 1/2-2 3/4" (65-70 mm). Face and thorax bright green, top of head darker. Abdomen green, spotted with dark brown on top segments 3-10, spots progressively larger toward tip; tip yellow in male. Legs black with long black spines on tibiae, also on middle and hind femora. Wings clear. Naiad is striped green and dark brown.

Food Adult eats smaller insects. Naiad feeds on small aquatic insects.

Life Cycle Unattended female descends to touch water surface at widely separated intervals, washing eggs from tip of abdomen. Naiads transform to adults beginning in June.

Habitat Near borders of clear ponds.

Range Quebec and Maine to Florida, west to Mexico, north to Washington.

Discussion This vigilant species often captures damselflies. It frequently rests on bare earth or floating trash and is active year-round in the South.